Tezpur, July 5: A training-cum-awareness camp for Seed Production of the Golden Mahseer for Rehabilitation in the North Eastern Region” was held at Eco Camp, Potasali in Sonitpur district. The camp was organized by the Assam (Bhorelli) Angling and Conservation Association {A(B)ACA} with the active help and support by officers of the Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research(DCFR), ICAR, Bhimtal.

Dr P C Mahanta Director , DCFR dwelt at length on the history of the Mahseer  Breeding effort and methodology for collection of data.

Dr Sarma shared his expertize on the technicalities of Mahseer breeding, and the reasons why an active programme was necessary for repopulating rivers in India with the prized game fish, numbers of which are considered to be dwindling rapidly all over the country.

The DCFR has, in fact, provided substantial funds to the Association for setting up of a Golden Mahseer Hatchery adjacent to the Eco Camp, Potasali, which itself was set up with financial assistance from the North Eastern Council. A second brooder tank was formally inaugurated prior to the meeting by G S Rawat, DIG, ITBP, a keen nature enthusiast. This was done in the presence of Mr G Richmond, President, A(B)ACA, Col  J Rawal of the 134 Eco Task Force, officials from the Fisheries Departments of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and members of the Association as well as the Angling Association based at Bhalukpong, Arunachal Pradesh.

Local villagers also attended as the importance of the conservation effort to preserve the revered Golden Mahseer was spelt out by all the speakers in the meeting  presided over by the President of the Association. The difficulties in breeding the Mahseer as compared to other species of fish was also explained in detail by Dr Debajit Sarma and Dr P C Mahanta.

Dr J Theba, Director of Fisheries , Arunachal Pradesh also addressed the gathering.

 The setting up of a Hatchery has been a long cherished dream of the Association. The President and members of the  Association expressed their gratitude to the officials of DCFR, ICAR, who, in turn appreciated the progress made in setting up of the Hatchery. Notably, 3000 Mahseer fries provided by the DCFR and airlifted to Assam were released in breeding trays at the Hatchery.

The co-operation of the 134 Eco Task Force in the conservation oriented programmes held by the Association was also acknowledged.